Walking the red carpet of motherhood with dirt on my dress
Walking Roxie in our new neighborhood. It’s her favorite.
Introducing baby girl, Caia. She is gorgeous. When do I get one?
My perfect red kitchen. Color is called Cherry Tomato. Cute.
Quite possibly the cutest pic I’ve ever taken (they were both snoring so loud I couldn’t sleep)
Friday night was my big Bowl for Breath. I’d have to say it went off without a hitch. I’m currently counting money to see how much we raised. There were about 200 people there in support of Cystic Fibrosis so it was just a really great time and I met some great people. Sometimes I feel like my job isn’t even a job. I guess that is why I like it so much. Friday was also a great day because I found out I’m getting a raise! It is always so nice when your hard work is rewarded. Yay for me!
Me and my co-workers at Bowl for Breath.
On Saturday Naaman and I went shopping for furniture again and ate some really good Chinese food. Just a relaxing time together as a couple. We’ve been playing with Roxie quite a bit too as she is doing a lot better now. It has now been about 5 weeks since her surgery and she is getting stronger everyday. We love our baby.
On Sunday my sister Kelli came over and we began the planning for my sister Cindi’s big Bachelorette Bash. We decided to go to Las Vegas and we have a ton of fun girlie stuff planned. If it is half as much fun as we had on my bachelorette trip to Chicago, then we’ll for sure have a blast in Vegas. What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas!
Roxie’s two week post-op check up was yesterday. Naaman and I were both worried that the vet would say that her pins had come out of place. I prayed last night that they hadn’t because I didn’t want Roxie to have to go through another surgery. The vet was encouraged when he realized they hadn’t come out of place. He said for as young and active as she is, and as bad of shape as her knee was in, it’s a miracle that they are healing properly. He did recommend two more weeks in the playpen with little movement or playtime. We can take her out for very short walks in order to start building up the muscle again.
This is her with a very big, ugly scar on her little knee (shhh, don’t tell anyone I was lifting her)
We were supposed to go to Vegas over the weekend but my comfort level as far as pain goes just isn’t there yet. Plus, there was no possible way I could walk around for hours or carry any luggage around. I am not supposed to do any physical activity for an entire month. I go for my second epidural treatment next Wednesday. I’m not look forward to it at all. I don’t sleep soundly because I can’t get comfortable no matter what position I’m in (there’s only two I can even stand at this point). So, I wake up really tired and cranky. Of course, who wouldn’t be in a cranky mood if they had constant pain. It’s like someone is stabbing me in the neck and I just want to turn around and say, “Hey, stop it. That’s not nice.” Oh, how I wish . . .
But I will be okay. I am aware that things could be much worse. We’re just having a tough period right now and we will come through it. What doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger.
Well, after much worrying over our pug Roxie, she is finally home from her knee surgery. The surgery took two hours. They had to put in two permanent pins instead of one because her cartilage was too worn down to keep her little knee in place. We must keep her still and calm for three weeks, which is already proving to be a tough job. She is a puppy. She wants to run and play and bite and jump. I have a heart attack every time she flops around because if one of the pins comes out of place, she must go back into surgery and have it replaced. We are supposed to keep her confined for the entire three weeks with the exception of going potty.
We bought her a baby playpen (I must admit I felt pretty stupid standing in the baby section in Wal-Mart trying to pick out a playpen for a dog). Naaman bought her a cute little pink fluffy bed to lounge in. She is a pug princess after all. We bought her bones to keep her busy.
Going to the bathroom is another tough issue. We have a puppy pad so I take her out of the playpen every once in a while and set her on the pad. Last night, she missed the pad by a fraction of an inch (darn)! Though, this morning she went on it. We can’t really take her outside into the snow drift because her cast will get wet and cold and that’s not allowed. She sometimes lets out a soft little whimper or cry that sounds just like a baby. It breaks my heart every time 
I want to take her out of her crate/playpen, but I have to be strong and know that this is the best way for her to heal.
Anyway, here are some pictures of our precious little temporarily disabled girl. Hopefully, in three weeks she will be back to her playful self again.
Well, this crazy weekend is over. I coordinated my Cousin Tim’s wedding and I can proudly say, it went off without a hitch. I am very happy that Tim found someone who will always be there for him. Years ago, Tim lost his sight and I know it has been quite a struggle for him and his family. I am glad that he persevered and realized that he too is worthy of love. Everyone is, I think.
The bad part of the weekend was Naaman’s speeding ticket. We got it after speeding home after the wedding was over. We were both pretty upset about it. I just hate those stupid flashing lights and the way the police treat people, as though we are horrible criminals.
That night we went out to my parents’ house as all four sisters and their counterparts were visiting for the wedding and we all got to hang out. All ten of us played Scategories and as always, it was a hilarious and fun time! My family loves board games. Naaman and I came in third place out of five couples. Better luck next time.
As we were driving home, we saw a cop ready to pounce anyone speeding. Naaman quickly flashed his lights to warn others. Suddenly, the flashing lights were behind us again. We were both so confused as he wasn’t speeding. The cop approached and told us that Naaman had flashed his headlights at him. OOPS! Apparently Naaman didn’t see that it was a policeman driving down the road. He wrote us a ticket because I guess it’s illegal and he was SO rude and obnoxious. He was all of 21-years-old and obviously loving his new police power trip. I cried and cursed a lot (afterwards, of course). Naaman was trying to be a good Samaritan and we get slammed with another ticket. CRAP! Two tickets in one day. UnFREAKINGbelievable!
The next day we went to find bridesmaid dresses for my sister Cindi’s wedding. We found a really pretty one that doesn’t make us feel frumpy at all and it will come in pale yellow. We will all carry a bouquet of beautiful red roses. I can’t wait. I think it’s going to be just as beautiful as our wedding. The church is just gorgeous! And I know Cindi will be the Belle of the Ball. She is finally okay after her surgery. She showed me her stapled stomach and I almost threw up. My stomach gets really queasy with anything and everything.
Anyway, here’s a picture of the dress (in pale yellow not lavendar).
Tonight, we are going out to dinner with our friends, Ryan and Rebecca, who just got married two weekends ago and are expecting their first child in late July. We are all shopping for houses so it should be the hot topic of conversation. Plus, I’m sure we’ll talk about their little kiddo who is on the way.
Now I’ll ask for your prayers. Our precious baby girl, Roxie, goes in for surgery tomorrow to fix one of her hind legs. We are very scared and worried for her. Please say a prayer that her surgery goes well and she heals quickly. She deserves to be able to be able to play like the adorable puppy she is.
This is Buster, my Sister Jennifer’s 10-month old Boston Terrier. He looks really sad here, but I think he was just tired. There were a total of five dogs at my parent’s house for Christmas. It was a little crazy for the humans, but very fun for the dogs. 
Here is my sister Cindi holding our Roxie. She is getting so big so fast. She was the life of the party, but was konked out when we got home. She just went limp and had to be carried around because her little leg couldn’t take any more walking. I think she likes Christmas though. She didn’t understand why she got extra special attention and new toys. None the less, she really enjoyed the day. 
Why oh why does this time of year seem so stressful? Not that we aren’t causing a bit of the stress ourselves but still. At this very moment we are negotiating the price we will pay on our first home together. Um, dear sellers, if you want to sell your house any time soon then stop counter-offering for gosh sakes! We better get it and his cool refrigerator too. I have felt like throwing up all day. Hopefully, good news to come soon. I’m already looking at new furniture for our home!
All the decorations are put up in our apartment so you can stop worrying. The place is a mess right now because we now have a baby playpen and gate to keep Roxie from eating the wires of the Christmas tree and getting shocked like that cat in Christmas Vacation. But I have continued my boycott of “cliche” Christmas and gone with a blue, white and silver colored theme. No red and green. That’s just the way I roll.
Last Saturday brought on the worst of all the stresses. We just received word that our sweet baby Roxie will require surgery on her right hind leg. She has Bilateral Luxating Patellas and is in pretty bad shape. There is no other way and although it will cost a lot of money we will do it because she is such a doll and has brought so much happiness to us in our first four months of marriage, moreso than if we didn’t have a dog at all. Why on earth this had to happen to such a sweet innocent creature is beyond me. I love her more than words can say and it makes me want to sob just thinking of the day that I have to leave her at the vet’s office. Imagine if this were my child! I can’t even express the sadness and worry I feel and I hope you will all keep her in your prayers.
Have you ever seen anything cuter than her? I didn’t think so.
